Many Anganwadi centres operating without own house

Koraput: Children aged between three and five years of an Anganwadi centre at Jeypore town in Koraput district are forced to study under the open sky in a verandah because of the lack of a building.

Locals allege that the sorry state of affairs had been continuing since the Chatarsahi Anganwadicentrewas opened two years ago and the 30 students there lack basic facilities like text books and pictorial maps.

"Without building, thecenterruns on a verandah round the year and the students are forced to eat under the open sky. Stray animals frequently venture into it. Therefore, parents do not send their wards to the centreregularly. And in monsoon the condition is more appalling," alleged Munna Tripathy, a local activist.

However, this is not an isolated case. Hundreds of anganwadi centres run without building and in a similar condition across the district.

According to official records, out of 3,264 anganwadi centres of the district, only 815 centres have their own house. Though work order was placed in the current financial year for the construction of at least 760centres till date, only 15centreshave been completed.

Officials said while over 300centresare under construction, land has not been acquired for about 28centres.

Work has not been started for 166centresthough funds have been already placed at the respective panchayat samiti and the District Primary Education Programme.

Admitting the problems faced by the students for non-availability of buildings, district social welfare officer Basanti Hembraum said as far as possible efforts were on to ensure that thecentreran at the school premises. But where there is no other option, local adjustment has been made for the functioning of thecentre.

Koraput district Collector Sachin Jadhav said, "Depending on availability of technical persons, the buildings are being constructed. Over 300 buildings are near completion and work for morecentreswill start soon. We are hopeful that most of thecentreswill have their buildings soon."